NCJ Number
76458
Date Published
1977
Length
31 pages
Annotation
The modern history of political assassination is traced, the operational management process for an assassination action is discussed, and a framework is provided for assessing the threat of political assassination.
Abstract
The modern history of political assassination has its roots in the Soviet intelligence apparatus. Approaches developed by the Soviets were modified and implemented by the western democracies during World War II, and have been adopted by terrorist groups since then. The operational management process for an assassination action begins with an information-gathering and target phase. After a target has been selected, and while intelligence formulation continues, plans are developed for the attack including the provision of security and protection for the assassin or group, construction of an operational support network, selection of operational techniques and tactics, and the development of an exfiltration plan for removing the assassination actors. An assessment of the threat potential for planned political assassination should consider the level of target prominence, the degree of threat posed, the types of assassins available to carry out actions, reasons why groups might wish to carry out assassination actions, and the relative risk of various geographic locations. Moderately prominent targets are at greatest risk; however, defectors represent special cases at extremely high risk. Political assassins may be either self-trained or professionally trained terroristic assassins; may be institutional assassins; i.e., employed by organized agencies, bureaus, or armed forces in the service of the national interest; or may be political or criminal mercenaries. Terroristic assassins are felt to represent the greatest degree of danger to targets of all categories and the current risk of terroristic actions is extremely high. Fifty-nine footnotes are included.